A team of young Ukrainian women have stripped in front of Kiev’s Olympic stadium to protest against the expected rise in prostitution during next year’s European Championships.
The undressing came just hours before Uefa are due to hold the draw for next summer’s tournament, which is being hoisted jointly by Ukraine and Poland.
Ukraine is to be turned into a “Euro-brothel”, said one topless demonstrator, amid fears that the Championships will be a magnet for sex tourists.
The girls, who wore knickers and stockings for the protest, regularly strip down to demonstrate in Kiev to highlight the exploitation of women.
Today we want football fans and Michel Platini to forget about playing with their balls because we must be aware of Ukraine's social problems and the fact that Ukraine will become a Euro-brothel," said a bare-chested Olexandra Shevchenko.
A spokeswoman for Femen, the group responsible for the protest, told Reuters: "We are sure that UEFA has an interest in the development of sex tourism here and the sale of sexual services during Euro 2012. This tournament is not only about football. It risks being a humanitarian disaster."
The group has also protested outside Miss Universe competitions and international beauty pageants.
The Euro finals will begin in June.